Original Articles

Research Progress and Application of Step-pool Systems in Mountain Streams

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  • 1. China Institute ofWater Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100083, China;
    2. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China;
    3. State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Received date: 2010-03-01

  Revised date: 2010-06-01

  Online published: 2011-01-25

Abstract

Step-pool systems are a common geomorphologic configuration in high-gradient mountain streams (> 3%-5%) with alternating steps and pools having a stair-like appearance. Step-pool systems are very effective in dissipating flow energy and stabilizing riverbeds, and is an ecologically-sound riverbed pattern in mountain streams, thus it is an important streambed structure and micro-morphologic configuration for high-gradient mountain streams. Extensive research has been carried out on step-pool system since the 1980s through field investigation, flume experiment and mathematic model analysis. The research focused on step-pool development of environmental conditions, configuration feature, formation mechanism, and its hydraulic, geomorphologic and ecologic functions. Step-pool system and similar streambed structures have been applied to mountain stream restoration and stabilization in many countries in recent years, and have shown positive results. This paper synthesizes the recent literature and application cases of step pool, and discusses the possible research directions in the future.

Cite this article

YU Guoan, HUANG Heqing, WANG Zhaoyin, YAO Zhijun . Research Progress and Application of Step-pool Systems in Mountain Streams[J]. PROGRESS IN GEOGRAPHY, 2011 , 30(1) : 42 -48 . DOI: 10.11820/dlkxjz.2011.01.005

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